JUSTIFIED/GALATIANS 2:15-21

Have you ever tried to justify yourself? In other words, have you ever tried to free yourself from guilt or blame? Seeking to justify ourselves has been an issue since the creation of the first human beings–Adam & Eve. The apostle Paul knows this truth, and has something to say about it in our text this morning. Paul speaks of our attempts to justify ourselves, or to secure right standing with God through various means. Paul highlights the number one thing that all people attempt to do to find right standing with God–keeping some principles, rules, or laws. Let’s jump into our text today, and listen in on Paul’s teaching on justification.

I) CONTEXT–V.15

A) Let’s listen again to Galatians 2:14 for the context of what we will be looking at in verses 15-21. What was at stake was the truth of the gospel; the very means by which Jews and Gentiles are saved. The final verses of Galatians 2 are a fuller explanation of the gospel for all to hear. So, Paul takes this occasion to drive home the truths of the good news of salvation.

B) Here’s how Paul begins: "We are Jews by nature, and not sinners from among the Gentiles" (v.15). In no way, should this be read to mean that Paul did not believe that the Jews were not sinners. Paul’s point was that the Gentiles were, regularly, violating the law of God that they, the Jews, were, primarily, given that spelled out God’s requirements. He will say more on this in verse 17. Now to Paul’s major teaching on justification.

II)BEING RIGHT WITH GOD–V.16

A) Because justification is such a major subject throughout the Bible, we will be spending more time on it next week. But, there is still much to learn here in verse 16. Paul uses the term justified three times. He states how a person is justified–right with God–negatively and positively. First, he says, "that a man is not justified by the works of the Law," and he says this three times. Secondly, he says, "that we [are] justified by faith in Christ." Here’s the bottom-line: there were Jews who believed that their right standing with God was guaranteed because they, outwardly, kept the requirements of the Law (Ten Commandments, etc.).

B) Paul’s point is that to have right standing with God one must have faith (believe) in Christ alone, and abandon any idea that somehow one can save themselves through their own feeble actions or heritage–even believing is a gift from God and not a human effort cf. Ephesians 2:8-9. Next, we find Paul answering an objection.

III) AN OBJECTION–Vv.17-19

A) Paul broadens the point he made in verse 15. The reality of the matter is that we do sin, even though we have been declared right with God through faith in Christ. Paul says in effect, our sin is our’s and our righteousness is Christ’s. Paul then tells us of his relationship to the Law–dead to it, since he became united to Christ by faith.

IV) UNITED TO CHRIST–Vv. 20-21

A) Paul could say these things because of His relationship to Christ by faith ... not by works ... He is crucified in Christ, and dead to the Law, dead to sin’s claims. And, now, he lives the resurrected life by the resurrection power of Christ within–secured at the point of regeneration or salvation. This life is lived by faith in Christ, the Son of God, who loved Paul, and showed that love by being delivered up for Paul’s sin. If we are right with God on our own account, then we make of none effect the grace of God.

V) IMPLICATIONS

A) No special status is granted, as relates to salvation–forgiveness of sins, peace with God, or entrance into heaven, to anyone regardless of physical descent, heritage, or religious affiliation.

B) God’s own terms of salvation or right standing with Him is granted only to those in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. And, this begins by placing one’s faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone to save from sin and the wrath of God on sinners. It is embracing Christ with all that is within, and holding on to Him alone as the only means of salvation or right standing with God. It is giving up on any attempts to please God or come into a right relationship with Him through our own efforts.